LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The long lines of parked cars outside Dodger Stadium could have been the typical sign of an afternoon game featuring the Boys in Blue . But the massive crowd of cars at the stadium during the weekend had more to do with income than infield plays .

Applicants wait their turn for an interview at the Dodger Stadium job fair on Saturday .

A two-day job fair to fill some 500 part-time jobs during the baseball season , from stadium security to hawking beer during the games , attracted nearly 7,000 applicants .

While many are no doubt fans of the Dodgers and would enjoy spending summer evenings at the ballpark , all were eager to convert their summer time into cash .

With the team in Glendale , Arizona , for spring training , the stadium became a human resources arena for six hours both Saturday and Sunday during the 2009 Dodgertown Job Fair .

Dodgers officials said they had expected as many as 10,000 applicants to show up during the weekend , based on similar job fairs held by other teams across the country as unemployment climbs and economic conditions worsen for many people .

Despite a lower turnout , this year 's crowd was `` significantly more '' than similar job fairs in previous years , team officials said , although no numbers for previous years were released .

Joe Walsh , vice president of human resources for the Dodgers , said he was n't surprised by the uptick in applicant numbers , with the downturn in the economy .

`` The expectations -LRB- for the job fair -RRB- are much higher based on what we see in the unemployment rate , '' Walsh said .

The jobs to be filled from the fair pay from $ 9.50 to $ 17 an hour , and they drew applicants from a broad spectrum of ages and backgrounds .

Bob Reider , 68 , came looking for a beer-cart job to supplement his Social Security check . For Reider , the money would help pay for tuition and books for his two youngest children in their final years of college .

`` This is supposed to be the golden years , whatever that means , '' Reider said , adding , `` I am in excellent health , and I do n't mind working and I got a good cause . So it all fits . ''

It 's the economic downturn , Reider said , that has caused him to look for work in his senior years .

`` It is very difficult to live on what we have today , '' he declared , noting the difficulty of the job search . `` It 's almost impossible for me to find a reasonable daytime job at my age . ''

Security job applicant Jose Soto , an immigrant from the Dominican Republic , made it clear he would be willing -- indeed , eager -- to work at all 81 of the team 's home games .

`` This is a great organization . Everyone would like to come to L.A. and work for the Dodgers , '' Soto said .

On both days , applicants were handed individual , numbered wristbands at the entrance to the stadium . They sat and waited , listening for their number to be called .

Numbers were called in groups , and the groups filed to the suite level , where they filled out applications , then sat down for a preliminary interview that could last a few seconds or a few minutes , depending upon an applicant 's experience and interest in a job .

By many assessments , anyone looking for summer work will have a tough time this year . In January , the unemployment rate in California rose to 10.1 percent .

`` We think the economy might reach bottom by this summer , '' said Nancy D. Sidhu , chief economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation .

At the Dodgertown Job Fair , though , spirits were high .

Reider , for example , got a boost of confidence after being told to expect a call back in the next week .

`` I nailed it ! '' he said with a laugh .

As the thousands of applicants waited , some talked about the team that will take to the field here in a few weeks .

One job they talked about was filling the Dodgers ' high-profile opening in left field . The position , and a $ 45-million , two-year contract , was offered to slugger Manny Ramirez , but so far , no deal .

At the job fair , applicant and Dodgers fan Jose Soto had some simple advice for Ramirez :

`` Do n't wait for more , '' he said . `` Take the money now . ''

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Part-time jobs go from stadium security to hawking beer during the games

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Dodgers officials said they had expected as many as 10,000 applicants

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Says job seeker : `` Everyone would like to come to L.A. and work for the Dodgers ''

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Unemployment rate in California in January was 10.1 percent